"For the great day of His
wrath has come—and who shall be able to
stand!" Revelation 6:17

Who may abide the day of His coming? Who shall stand when He
appears? Oh, beloved! this is not the day of man's wrath! Men
have had their day of reigning and raging, and despising God—but that
day is over and gone, and now God's day has come! This is the day
of His wrath—and woe to wicked, and woe to the whore of Babylon,
for the hour of her judgment has come!

This will be a day of great ASTONISHMENT to the wicked and ungodly, "The
Lord shall smite them with madness and blindness, and astonishment
of heart!" Deuteronomy 28:28

This will be a day of great TERROR to those who do not know God and do not
obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus! Therefore, says the apostle, "Knowing
therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men." 2 Corinthians
5:11

This day of God's wrath will be a day of great DISTRESS to the wicked. "I
in turn will laugh at your disaster! I will mock when calamity
overtakes you—when calamity overtakes you like a storm, when
disaster sweeps over you like a whirlwind, when distress and
trouble overwhelm you!" Proverbs 1:26-27

This day of God's wrath will be a day of great CONTEMPT to the ungodly.
"The Lord Almighty has purposed it, to stain the pride of all glory, and
to bring into contempt all the honorable of the earth!" Isaiah 23:9

This day of God's wrath will be a day of great DESTRUCTION. "The wicked
are reserved to the day of destruction; they shall be brought forth
to the day of wrath!" Job 21:30
Oh, beloved! God's GREAT wrath will be very terrible to the wicked!

1. God's great wrath will tear them in pieces like a lion! "I will
be like a lion to Israel, like a strong young lion to Judah. I will tear
them to pieces! I will carry them off, and no one will be left to rescue
them!" Hosea 5:14. "Consider this, all you who forget God, or I will tear
you to pieces, with none to rescue you!" Psalm 50:22

2. God's great wrath will consume them like fire! "The Lord
Almighty says—The day of judgment is coming, burning like a furnace. On
that day the arrogant and the wicked will be burned up like straw. They
will be consumed—roots, branches, and all." Malachi 4:1

3. God's great wrath will swallow up all His enemies! "You will
capture all your enemies. Your strong right hand will seize all who hate
You. You will throw them in a fiery furnace when You appear. In His wrath
the Lord will swallow them up, and His fire will consume them!" Psalm
21:8-9

Oh! the wrath of the Almighty is called in the Scripture,
"The fierceness of His great wrath!" 2 Kings 23:26.
"The fierceness of His anger, wrath, and indignation!" Psalm 78:49.
"The fury of His wrath!" Revelation 16:19.

"They will be Mine!" says the Lord Almighty, "in the day when I make up
My jewels!" Malachi 3:17

God's people are His jewels—His own special treasure!

In what sense are the saints, God's jewels?

Jewels are preciousthings; the Hebrew word for jewels
signifies a treasure. A treasure is made up of costly things:
gold, and diamonds and rubies. Such a precious treasure, are the saints to
God.

They are jewels for their sparkling quality. Their holiness
shines and sparkles in God's eyes! (Song of Solomon 4:9), "You have
ravished My heart, with one glance of your eyes!" That is, with one of
your graces.

The godly are jewels for their scarcity. Diamonds are not common.
Just so, the godly are scarce and rare. There are but few of these to be
found. There are many false professors (as there are many plastic
diamonds) but few true Christians. Among the millions in Rome, there were
but few senators. Just so, among the swarms of people in the
world—there are but few true believers.

The godly are jewels for their price. Queen Cleopatra had two
jewels which were worth half the price of a kingdom. Thus the saints are
jewels, for their value. God esteems them at a high rate; He parted with
His best jewel for them—Christ's precious blood was shed to ransom
these jewels!

The saints are jewels for their adorning quality. Jewels adorn
those who wear them. The saints are jewels which adorn the world. Their
piety mixed with prudence honors the gospel. Hypocrites eclipse
true religion and make it badly spoken of. The saints as jewels, render it
illustrious by their sanctity.

God the Father has chosen these jewels, and set them apart for
Himself!

Christ has bought these jewels with His blood!

The Holy Spirit has sanctified them. When they were a lump of
sin—He made them into His jewels! He will string these pearls together—and
put them into His celestial cabinet!

Bless God who has wrought such a change in you! From lumps of dirt and
sin—He has made you into His jewels!

The Christian also looks tothe end of
afflictions!The end maysometimes come in this
world. In reference to this, the utmost that the believer can be sure of,
is thatthey will end in God's time.

They may last for his whole life.
The sickness which afflicts his body may be unto death! The loss
which he has sustained in his property may be irreparable—and
poverty may go down with him to the grave! The trial which
beclouds and distresses his spirits—may be his lot for life! But on the
other hand, they may not! God may be bringing him "through fire and
through water to bring him out into a wealthy place." But the Christian
leaves this in the hand of God, and endeavors to maintain a hope which
shall save him from despondency—checked at the same time by a reverence
that guards him from unwarranted presumption.

But if the end of the trial does not come in this world—it will
come in the next world—when they will not only forever cease, but leave an
eternal blessing behind! "I reckon that the sufferings of the present time
are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in
us!" "Our light affliction, which is but for a moment, works for us a far
more exceeding and eternal weight of glory!" Four things are set forth in
these passages:

1. Our afflictions will have a termination! This is sweet. They are to
end—they are not to last forever! The last pang, and groan, and tear
are at hand—and how near the Christian never knows!

2. Our afflictions are not to end like those of the brute creation—in the
grave merely—but in heaven! The last pang, and groan, and tear are
to usher in that blessed state of which it is so beautifully said, "The
Lamb who is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead
them unto living fountains of waters—and God shall wipe away all tears
from their eyes!" Heaven shall terminate the afflictions of the righteous!

3. Heaven is so glorious, that the first view of its scenes, and the first
moment of its enjoyment—shall make amends for the longest life of the most
protracted and intense sufferings!

4. The sufferings of our earthly pilgrimage—will enhance and increase the
felicities of heaven! Their submissive endurance; the graces
which they call into exercise; the sanctification which they
promote; the heavenly temper which they cultivate—will be the means
of ripening the spirit, and making it fit for its eternal inheritance!

Every tear that is shed;
every groan that is heaved;
every loss that is sustained;
every moment of suffering that is endured;
every disappointment that is experienced, which is borne with
patience, with resignation, with unwearied holiness—will not only be
followed with millions of ages of ineffable felicity—but will prepare the
soul for its enjoyment, and add something to its weight and its luster!

"We know that all things work together for good,
to those who love God, to those who are called
according to His purpose." Romans 8:28

All the afflictions, and
all the temptations, and
all the oppressions, and
all the oppositions, and
all the persecutions—
which befall a godly man,
shall work for his good.

Every cross, and
every loss, and
every disease—
which befall the holy man,
shall work for his good.

Every device,
every snare,
every deceit,
every stratagem,
and every enterprise of Satan against
the holy man, shall work for his good.

They shall all help to make him . . .
more humble,
more holy,
more heavenly,
more spiritual,
more faithful,
more fruitful,
more watchful.

Every prosperity and every adversity;
every storm and every calm;
every bitter and every sweet;
every cross and every comfort—
shall work for the holy man's good.

When God gives a mercy—
that shall work for his good.
When God takes away a mercy—
that shall work for his good.

Yes, even all the falls and all the sins of
the saints shall work for their good. Oh .
. .
the care,
the fear,
the watchfulness,
the tenderness,
the zeal—
which God raises in the souls of His saints by their
very falls! Oh the hatred, the indignation, and the
detestation—which God raises in the hearts of His
children against sin—by their very falling into sin!

Oh what love to Christ,
what thankfulness for Christ,
what admiration of Christ,
what cleaving to Christ,
what exalting of Christ,
what drawings from Christ's grace—
are saints led to, by their very falls!

It is the glory of God's holiness, that . . .
He can turn spiritual diseases—into holy remedies!
He can turn soul poisons—into heavenly cordials!
He can prevent sin by sin, and cure falling by falling!

O Christian! What though friends and relations frown upon you,
what though enemies are plotting and conspiring against you,
what though needs, like armed men, are breaking in upon you,
what though men rage, and devils roar against you,
what though sickness is devastating your family,
what though death stands every day at your elbow—
yet there is no reason for you to fear nor faint, because
all these things shall work for your good! Yes, there is
wonderful cause of joy and rejoicing in all the afflictions
and tribulations which come upon you—considering that
they shall all work for your good.

O Christians! I am afraid, I am afraid—that you do not
run so often as you should—to the breasts of this promise,
nor draw that sweetness and comfort from it, that it would
yield, and that your several cases may require. "We know
that all things work together for good, to those who love
God, to those who are called according to His purpose." I
have been the longer upon this verse, because the condition
of God's people calls for the strongest cordials, and the
choicest and the sweetest comforts.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

God's sword!

(William
Dyer, "Christ's Voice to London".
Preached in London during the time of the 'Great Plague' of 1665-1666. The
'Great Plague' was a massive outbreak of disease, which killed an estimated
100,000 people, 20% of London's population.)

"Listen! The Lord is calling to the city—Hear the rod and the One who
appointed it!" Micah 6:9

Oh, London, London! God speaks to you by His judgments! Because you would
not hear the voice of His Word—He has made you to feel
the stroke of His rod! Oh, great city! how has the plague broken in
upon you, because of your abominations! "They provoked the Lord to anger by
their wicked deeds—so a plague broke out among them!" Psalm 106:29.
Oh! how is the wrath of God kindled against you, that such multitudes of
thousands have died within your borders, by this severe plague—God's
sword!

London! how are your streets thinned, your widows increased,
and your cemeteries filled, your inhabitants fled, your
trade decayed! Oh! therefore lay to heart all these things, and turn
from your wicked ways, that the cry of your prayers—may outcry the
cry of your sins! Be like the city of Nineveh, who believed Jonah's
message from God, and humbled themselves, and fasted and cried mightily unto
the Lord. Oh, Did Nineveh repent and turn from their wicked ways—and
shall not London?

Perhaps you think that all is now well, and that God is pleased with you,
because the plague is abating. I say, blessed be God for this! But "Do not
be deceived: God cannot be mocked. Whatever a man sows—that he shall reap!"
Galatians 6:7. To whomever God bestows great mercies, if they abound
in great wickedness, He will inflict great punishments upon
them! Alas! beloved, the plague abates—but your sins increase!
There is no turning from sin—nor turning to God! There is no reformation and
amendment of life among you! If this is so—then God is not done afflicting
you!

If you remain . . .
as profane as before,
as superstitious as before,
as carnal as before,
as lukewarm as before,
as hard-hearted as before,
as proud and vain as before,
as worldly as before;
I say, if it is thus with you, God is not yet done with London—but has other
judgments to pour out upon you, though He now causes the plague to cease.
(Editor's note: Shortly after the writing of the above, in September of
1666, the 'Great Fire of London' gutted the city, and consumed 13,200
houses. The social and economic problems created by this disaster were
overwhelming.)

The Creator of all worlds, the Author of all beings, the Upholder of the
universe—raining tears of human woe and sympathy upon a grave!

Oh, there lives not a being in the universe who can enter into our
bereavements with the sympathy, the support, and the soothing of Christ!

They were tears of sympathy. His heart was touched, deeply touched, with
sympathy for the sorrow of others. He wept because the mourning sisters
wept. He mingled His tears with theirs.

This is true sympathy, "weeping with those that weep," making their sorrow
our own. How really our Lord does this with His people. So completely is He
our Surety—that He takes our sins and infirmities, our trials and sorrows
upon Himself, as if they were all and entirely His own. Our sins were so
completely laid upon Him—that not one remains charged to the account of
those who believe in Jesus.

And our present griefs are so entirely absorbed in Him, that, softened by
His love, soothed by His sympathy, supported by His grace—the trial is
welcome, the affliction is sweet, and the rod of a Father's chastening, buds
and blossoms into delectable fruit.

Bereaved mourner! the sympathy of Christ is yours! The Savior who wept at
the gave of Bethany, now shares your grief. Do not imagine that your sorrow
is isolated, or that your tears are forbidden or unseen. You have a merciful
and faithful High Priest who is touched with your present calamity.

There exists no sympathy . . .
so real,
so intelligent,
so deep,
so tender,
so sanctifying—
as Christ's sympathy.

And if your heavenly Father has seen it wise and good to remove from you the
spring of human

O child of sorrow! will not this suffice—that you possess Christ's sympathy,
immeasurable and exhaustless as the ocean, exquisite and changeless as His
being! Yield your heart to His rich compassion!

Will Jesus be regardless of what I feel, and the sorrows under which I
groan? Oh no! The sigh that bursts in secret from my heart is not secret to
Him; the tear that is my food day and night, and drops unperceived and
unknown—is known and remembered by Him!
"You keep track of all my sorrows. You have collected all my tears in Your
bottle. You have recorded each one in Your book." Psalm 56:8 pity—it is
but that He may draw you closer beneath the wing of Jesus' compassion,
presence and love.

"These are the ones who follow the Lamb wherever He goes!" Revelation 14:4

"Many are called—but few are chosen" Matthew 20:19

The Lamb's followers may be known discerned from the beast's followers, by
fewness of their number. Christ calls His flock, a little flock,
"Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to
give you the kingdom!" Luke 12:32. Beloved, there are but a few who truly
follow the Lamb. "The whole world was astonished
and followed the beast!" Revelation 13:3

The Heathen follow Satan,
the Turks follow Mohammed,
the Jews follow Moses,
the Papists follow the Pope, and
the loose Protestants and carnal professors follow the world,
the flesh and the devil!

Believers, though their nature is the sweetest—yet their number
is the smallest.
In heaven are the best—but in hell are the most!

Oh, there are but few sincere Christians!

"Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road
that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate
and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it." Matthew
7:13-14

"I am married unto you." Jeremiah 3:14
"I will show you the bride, the Lamb's wife." Revelation 21:9

Christ has given Himself to His church by marriage, and therefore she is
called—His queen, His spouse, His bride, His wife. Although we had nothing
to bring to Christ, but our poverty, shame, sorrow, and misery—yet
He took us, and loved us, and married us!

"Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be
generous and willing to share." 1 Timothy 6:18

There are many men who have a great deal of this world's wealth, and riches,
and goods in their hands, and in their houses—but have no grace in their
hearts! And therefore they do no good—with the goods of this world. They
live so unfaithful, that their lives are scarcely worth a prayer—and
their deaths scarcely worth a tear!

Men may as well go to hell for not doing good—as for doing evil. He
who bears no good fruit, is fuel for hell—just
as much as he who bears bad fruit! You may not be outwardly bad—and yet not
be inwardly good. You may be as far from grace—as from vice! The rich glutton was in hell's torments, not for persecuting
Lazarus—but for not relieving Lazarus.

"I was hungry—and you gave Me nothing to eat,
I was thirsty—and you gave Me nothing to drink,
I was a stranger—and you did not invite Me in,
I needed clothes—and you did not clothe Me,
I was sick and in prison—and you did not look after Me."
Matthew 25:42-43

It is one of the greatest mercies in the world—for God to give a man a
heart to do good with that good which He has given him.

Oh! beloved, be always doing good—and hating evil. Look not only where you
may get good for yourself—but where you may do good to others.
Labor to be helpful to the souls of others, and supply the needs of others.

The Word of God is the Christian's rule—and the Spirit
of God is the Christian's guide.

"All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for
doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness," 2
Timothy 3:16

"But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes—He will guide you
into all truth." John 16:13

Most people walk by false rules:
1. Some walk by popular opinions.
2. Some walk by worldly customs.
3. Some walk by providence.
4. Some walk by conscience.
5. Some walk by their own reason.
6. Some walk by other men's examples.
7. Some walk by their own lusts.

But, oh! my dear friends, let me beseech you to walk by none of these false
rules—but keep close to the Word and Spirit of God.

The Scripture is a rule outside of us—to show us where we must go;
the Spirit is a guide inside of us—to enable us to walk according to
the direction of that Word.

The Word of God is a compass, by which we must direct our course; the
Spirit is the great pilot, who steers us in this course.

We have no eyes to see the Word—until the Spirit enlightens
them.
We have no ears to hear the Word—until the Spirit opens them.
We have no hearts to obey the Word—until the Spirit bows and
inclines them.

By the Word of God—we know the mind of the Spirit of God; and by the
efficacy of the Spirit—we feel the power of the Word.

The Word of God shows us the way; and the Spirit of God leads
us in that way which the Word points out.

The Spirit of God is able to expound the Word of God, and to make it plain
to our understanding. The Holy Spirit is the
Christian's interpreter; He gives the Scriptures, and He
alone can reveal unto us the sense and meaning of the Scriptures.

The Word is God's counsel—to reveal the path in which we are to walk.
The Spirit is God's Counselor—who teaches us to walk in that path.

If God had not put His Spirit into our hearts, as well as His Word into our
heads—we would never have arrived at the fair haven of peace.

The Scriptures reveal the very heart of God. God Almighty has, in the
sacred Scriptures, as it were, manifested Himself, unfolded all His counsel
to the creatures, as far as is necessary to be known for their direction and
guidance to everlasting life.

"The woman wore purple and scarlet clothing and beautiful jewelry
made of gold and precious gems and pearls. She held in her hand a golden
goblet full of obscenities and the impurities of her immorality."
Revelation 17:4

Beware of the whore of Babylon's golden goblet,
and her sweet wine! Be like the virgin spouse of Christ—who follows Him
wherever He goes.

Beware of false teachers!The devil has his ministers—as well
as Christ! "Beware of false prophets. They come to you in sheep's clothing,
but inwardly they are ferocious wolves!"
Matthew 7:15. Yes, they are ferocious wolves—they never have enough! "They
are dogs with mighty appetites; they
never have enough. They are shepherds who turn to their own way, each seeks
his own gain!" Isaiah 56:11

Oh! false teachers do not feed the flock—but fleece the flock!

They do not convert—but pervert!

They do not purify—but poison!

They do not edify for salvation—but destroy for damnation!

Instead of curing souls—they kill souls!

Just so long as they pilfer the people's money—they care not, though the
devil has their souls!

They are dogs and wolvescombining together to massacre the flock of Christ! Oh! therefore keep
yourselves from Babylon's merchants, who make merchandise of the
souls of men, Revelation 18:13.

Meditate often on these four last things:Death, which is most certain. Judgment, which is most strict. Hell, which is most doleful. Heaven, which is most delightful.
Meditate upon DEATH, which is most certain.
"It is appointed unto men once to die." Hebrews 9:27

Out of the dust was man formed;
into the dust shall man be turned.

To think of death—is a death to some men!

Oh, sirs! Meditate upon death.

Meditation on death—will put sin to death!

Death to the wicked—is the end of all comfort, and the beginning of
all misery!
Death to the godly—is the outlet to sin and sorrow, and the inlet to
peace and happiness!

The saints' enjoyment shall be incomparable,
when the sinners' torments shall be intolerable!

When a believer's soul goes out of his own bosom—it goes into Abraham's
bosom! When a saint dies—he leaves all his bad behind him, and
carries his good with him! When a sinner dies—he carries his bad with
him, and leaves his good behind him!

The godly man goes from evil—to all good.
The wicked man goes from good—to all evil.

When a saint leaves the world—his soul returns to happiness and rest!
When a sinner leaves this world—his body goes to worms to be
consumed, and his soul goes to flames to be tormented!

The saint goes to Abraham's bosom;
the sinner goes to Beelzebub's bosom!

Meditate often on these four last things:Death, which is most certain. Judgment,which is most strict. Hell, which is most doleful. Heaven, which is most delightful.
Meditate upon JUDGMENT, which is most
strict.

"We must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ!"

Those who will not come before His mercy-seat,
shall be forced to come before His judgment-seat!

Those who will not hear His Word—shall feel His Sword!

Those who are graceless in this day—will be speechless in that
day!

At the world's end—such will be at their wits' end, to see:
the earth flaming,
the heavens melting,
the stars falling,
the graves opening,
the judgment hastening,
the sun and moon mourning,
Christ and His angels coming!

He who comes to raise the dead,
will also come to judge the dead.

Oh! sirs, the great day to great sinners will be a dreadful
day—when they shall see Christ coming in the clouds:
with great power and glory,
crowned with dignity,
enraged with anger, and
attended with His angel reapers!
He will bring all kings and nobles, high and low, rich and poor, to His
judgment bar! And there He will judge them, not by the whiteness of their
faces—but by the blackness of their hearts! "He comes to judge the earth. He
will judge the world in righteousness and the peoples with equity!" Psalm
98:9

You who make no account of His coming—
how can you give an account at His coming?

Sirs! Meditation on judgment—may make you judgment proof!

Those who now judge themselves in their own private sessions—
shall not be judged by Christ at His great white throne judgment!

Meditate often on these four last things:Death, which is most certain. Judgment,which is most strict. Hell, which is most doleful. Heaven, which is most delightful.

Meditate on HEAVEN, which is most
joyful.

"Then the King will say to those on His right—Come, you who are blessed by
My Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the
creation of the world!" Matthew 25:34

"Well done, good and faithful servant! Enter into the joy of your
Lord!" Matthew 25:21

Heaven is a place where all joy is enjoyed!In Heaven, there will be:
mirth without sadness,
light without darkness,
sweetness without bitterness,
life without death,
rest without labor,
plenty without poverty!
Oh, what joy enters into the believer—when
the believer enters into the joy of his Lord!

Who would not . . .work for glory with the greatest diligence, and wait for glory with the greatest patience?

Oh, what glories are there in glory! Thrones of glory, crowns of glory, vessels of glory,
a weight of glory,
a kingdom of glory!

Here on earth—Christ puts His grace upon His spouse!
There in Heaven—He puts His glory upon His spouse!

In heaven the crown is made for them, and
in Heaven the crown shall be worn by them!

In this life believers have some good things—but
the rest and best are reserved for the life to come!

Oh, sirs! meditate upon Heaven, for meditation on Heaven will make us
heavenly!

Heaven is not only a possession promised by Christ—but a possession
purchased by Christ!

When our contemplations and minds are in Heaven—then we enjoy Heaven upon
earth!
To be IN Christ is Heaven below;
to be WITH Him is Heaven above!

There cannot be a better thing for us, than for us to be with the best of
beings! "To me to live is Christ—and to die is gain!" Philippians 1:21

Let our condition now be ever so great—it is Hell without Christ!
let our condition now be ever so bad—it is Heaven with Christ!

"I had rather be in Hell with Christ—than in Heaven without Him!" said
Luther.

Hell itself would be Heaven—if Christ was in it! Heaven would be Hell—if Christ was out of it!

That which makes Heaven so full of joy—is that it is above all fear!
That which makes Hell so full of horror—is that it is beyond all hope!

The vessels of grace—shall swim in the ocean of glory!

We may talk of the greatness of our crowns—but we shall never know
the weight of our crowns—until they are set on our heads!

"It is good for me to be afflicted—that I might learn Your
statutes!" Psalm 119:71

By the greatest affliction—God teaches us the greatest instruction.
When a believer lies under God's hand which afflicts him—he lies in
God's heart which loves him!

Afflictions are good—but not pleasant.

Sin is pleasant—but not good.

There is more evil in a drop of sin—than there is in a sea of
afflictions!

God by affliction, separates the sin He hates so deadly—from the soul He
loves so dearly!

The believer studies more how to adorn the cross—than how to
avoid the cross! Tell me, oh believer, is not Christ with His
cross—better than the world with its crown?

"God disciplines us for our good—that we may share in His holiness."
Hebrews 12:10

Suppose, Christian, that the furnace is hot, seven times hotter—it is but to
make you seven times more holy! Fiery trials—make
golden Christians! Sin has brought many a believer unto
suffering—and suffering has kept many a believer from sinning! It is better
to be preserved inbrine—than to rot in honey!

"I know, O Lord, that Your laws are righteous, and in faithfulness You
have afflicted me!" Psalm 119:75

"Let me die the death of the righteous—and may my end be like theirs!"
Numbers 23:10

There is no living a life that is wicked—and then dying a death that is
righteous.

Oh, that men would but deal truly with their own souls!

Many talk like a Christian—but few walk like a Christian!

Many know what is to be done—but never do what is to be done.

Many wear Christ's livery—but do the devil's drudgery!

Many have hands as white as snow—whose hearts are as black as hell!

Many appear righteous—who are only righteous in their appearance. But such
as deceive others with a false show of holiness—only deceive
themselves with a false hope of happiness!

Remember, sirs, that the sheep's coat shall be
stripped off the wolf's back! "They come to you in sheep's
clothing—but inwardly they are ferocious wolves!" Matthew 7:15

Oh, sirs, that you would consider well these weighty things! Tell me, sir—what
did Judas get by all his deceitful dealings? Nothing but a
halter—in which his body was hanged; and a fire—in which
his soul was burned!

For lack of humility—some angels became devils! Proud sinners
are fit companions, for none but proud devils!

When men glory in their pride—God stains the pride of their glory! "The
Lord Almighty planned it—to stain the pride of all glory, and to humble all
who are renowned on the earth." Isaiah 23:9

The most lowly Christian—is the most
lovely Christian!

A believer is like a vessel in the sea: the more it fills—the more
it sinks!

None live so humble on earth—as those who live highest in heaven. See how
one of the best of saints looks upon himself—as one of the least
of saints, "Unto me who am less than the least of all saints,"
said the great Paul in Ephesians 3:8.

The most holy men—are always the most lowly men. Where
humility is the corner-stone, there piety is the top-stone. The
coat of humility—should always be worn on the back of
Christianity. "Clothe yourselves with humility." 1 Peter 5:5

God Almighty has two houses in which He dwells: His city-house,
and His country-house. His city-house is the heaven of heavens; and
His country-house is the humble and lowly heart! Isaiah 57:15, "I dwell in
the high and holy place," that is, in heaven, God's city-house;
"and also with him who is of a contrite and humble spirit," that is God's
country-house.

Humility is a 'Bethel' for God's dwelling-place!

Pride is a 'Babel' for the devil's residence!

If you do not keep pride out of your soul, and your soul out of
pride—pride will keep your soul out of heaven!

I will not say, that a poor man is never proud—but I will say, that a
proud man is never godly. James 4:16, "God resists the proud—but gives grace
to the humble." The face of piety—shines brightest through the
mask of humility.

"Clothe yourselves with humility." Of all garments, humility best
fits Christians, and best adorns their profession. A Christian
should look with one eye upon God's grace—to keep him thankful; and
with the other eye upon himself—to keep him mournful. When you begin
to grow proud of your glistening feathers—look down upon your
black feet!

Revelation 4:10, "The twenty-four elders fall down before the throne, and
cast down their crowns before Him who sits on the throne." The only way of
keeping our crowns on our heads—is the casting them down at Christ's feet!

Alas! sirs—what are you proud of? Are you proud . . .
of your riches,
of your honors,
of your relations,
of your beauty,
of your strength?
Alas! alas! these are poor base things to boast in!

Oh, go to the graves of those who have died before you. Are not
their bones scattered, their eyes rotted, their flesh
consumed, their mouth corrupted! Where now are their ruddy lips,
their lovely cheeks, their fluent tongue, their sparkling eyes, their
flowing hair? Are they not all gone, as a dream!

"Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its
passions and desires!" Galatians 5:24
Crucify your sins—which have crucified your Savior!

Did the rocks rent, when Christ died for our sins—and shall not our hearts
rent, who have lived in our sins!

Oh, that the nails which pierced His hands—should now pierce our hearts!

Oh, that they should wound themselves with their sorrows—who have wounded
Christ with their sins! Oh, that they who have grieved His heart—should be
grieved in their hearts! Oh, that I should be such a bad a child to Him—who
has been such a good a Father to me! My sins have been my greatest
terror—and my Savior has been my choicest helper!

Oh! put sin to death—for sin was the cause of Christ's death! If someone
killed your father—would you hug him and embrace him as your friend, and let
him eat at your table? Would you not rather hate and detest the very sight
of him!

If a snake should sting your dearly beloved spouse to death—would you
preserve it alive, warm it at the fire, and hug it in your bosom? Would you
not rather stab it with a thousand wounds!

And were not our sins the cause and instrument of Christ's death? Were not
they the whips that scourged Him; the nails, the cords, the spear, the
thorns that wounded Him, and fetched the heart-blood from Him! And can we
love our sins—which killed our Savior? Can a wife truly love her husband—and
still embrace an adulterer?

We complain of the sins of Judas, and seem to hate them, and shudder at
their mention! And can we love our Judas sins—which put Christ to
death? And yet how many are there—who had rather have sinful-self satisfied,
than to have sinful-self crucified.

Oh, sin is that mark at which all the arrows of Divine vengeance are
shot!

Were it not for sin—death would never have had a beginning! And were it not
for death—sin would never have an ending!

Man began to be sorrowful—when he began to be sinful. The wind
of our lusts—blows out the candle of our lives. If man had nothing to do
with sin—death would have nothing to do with man.

Oh, did sin bring sorrow into the world? Oh, then—let
sorrow carry sin out of the world.

Of all evils—sin is the great evil! "The wages of sin is death!"
Romans 6:23. Oh, sin is worse than punishment, banishment and imprisonment!
Sin kills both body and soul—it throws the body into cold earth
rotting, and the soul into the hot hell burning!

He loved us more than His own life! The 'pelican' feeds her young ones with
her own blood. Oh! sirs, Christ is our pelican,
who has nourished and fed us with His own blood. "My flesh is real food and
my blood is real drink," says Christ.

Christ's red blood—has taken away our red guilt!

Scarlet-red sinners—have become milk-white saints, when washed in His blood!

All our precious mercies—come swimming to us in Christ's precious blood!

Christ bled love at every vein! His drops of blood—were drops of
love! Yes, the more bloody He was—the more lovely! He was most lovely upon
the cross—because then He showed most love to us!

Christ took upon Him our shame—that we might be partakers of His glory!

He died our death—that we might live His life!

He suffered our hell—that we might enjoy His heaven!

He endured the sorest pains—that we might enjoy the sweetest pleasures!

He went through the furnace of wrath—to keep us out of the flames of hell!

"Or do you show contempt for the riches of His kindness, tolerance and
patience, not realizing that God's kindness leads you toward repentance? But
because of your stubbornness and your unrepentant heart, you are storing up
wrath against yourself for the day of God's wrath, when His righteous
judgment will be revealed." Romans 2:4-5

Oh! who will pity youwho would
not pity yourselves—when you are damned—when you are howling and roaring in
hell?

If the day of mercy leaves you graceless—the day of judgment
will find you speechless!

There is no standing before Christ—but by standing in Christ.

Ungodly men fear no wrath—because they presently feel no
wrath.

Because their sin is now unpunished—they think there is no punishment for
their sins!

Because God continues to spare them—they go on to provoke Him!

Because He adds to their lives—they add to their lusts!

Because He is very merciful—they will be very sinful!

Because He is very good to them—they will be very bad to Him!

Because His justice now winks—men think He is blind!

Because He does not reprove them for their sins—therefore they think
He approves them in their sins!

But JUSTICE will soon avenge the quarrel of abused mercy!

Oh! sinners, though the patience of God is lasting—it is not everlasting!

If by the warnings of God, you are not alarmed—you shall be consumed by His
wrath!

The longer God is in raising His omnipotent arm—the heavier will be the blow
when it comes!

The day that begins in mercy—may end in judgment!

God is silent for only so long; but know, that God has vials of wrath filled
with indignation—for vessels of wrath fitted for destruction!

If God's mercy does not draw you to repentance—God's judgments
will drive you to destruction!

The sea of damnation—shall not be
sweetened with one drop of compassion!

"How will we escape—if we neglect such a great salvation!" Hebrews 2:3. If
you neglect the great salvation—you cannot escape the great
damnation!

Oh! sinners, think of this—before the bottomless pit has shut its mouth upon
you!

"You will fill me with joy in Your presence, with eternal pleasures at Your
right hand!" Psalm 16:11

Cheer up, Christian! The sweetness of the crown which shall be
enjoyed—will make amends for the bitterness of the cross which was
endured. This world is all the hell that you shall
ever have!

Here you have your bad things—your good things are yet to come!

Here you have your bitter things—but your sweet things are yet to
come!

Here you have your prison—but your palace is yet to come!

Here you have your rags—your royal robes are yet to come!

Here you have your sorrow—your joy is yet to come!

Here you have your hell—your heaven is yet to come!

After the cup of affliction—comes the cup of salvation!

Oh, sirs, under the greatest troubles—lie your greatest treasures!

The seed of sorrow on earth—shall reap a golden crop of joy in heaven!

Those who sow holiness in the seed-time of their lives—shall reap
happiness in the harvest of eternity!

Oh! sirs, never think to have an end of your sorrow—until there is an
end of your sin!

The apostle tells us, "Our light affliction, which is for a moment—works for
us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory!"
A grain of affliction—works a weight of glory!
A short moment of pain—works an eternity of pleasures!

Therefore saints, be of good cheer! Here is comfort for you—your best
days are yet to come!

"To him who overcomes, I will give the right to sit with Me on My
throne!" Revelation 3:21

Jesus Christ is an ENTHRONED King! But, beloved, this is not all; Christ not
only sits there Himself—but He has promised that all who overcome, shall
sit down with Him upon His throne!

Now, I wonder where there is any king but Christ, who
allows his subjects to sit upon his throne with him. Alas! this would be
treason for a man to attempt it!

Oh, what a glorious King is Jesus! Every one of His poor subjects shall sit
upon the throne with Him! One would think this very promise would draw the
whole world after Christ! Oh! what great offers, and privileges, and honors
Christ bestows upon all His poor followers! He not
only makes them kings—but He brings them to sit upon His very
throne with Him!

O believer, you say that it would be an honor indeed, if could you but
look into heaven, and merely to see Christ sit upon His
throne! But this honor have all His saints; yes, much more—He makes them all
kings, and grants to them to sit down with Him upon His
throne!

To bless God for mercies—is
the way to increase them;
to bless Him for miseries—is the way to remove them.

Christ uncrowned Himself—to crown us!
He put off His robes—to put on our rags!
He came down from heaven—to keep us out of hell!
He fasted forty days—that He might feast us to all eternity!
He came from heaven to earth—that He might send us from earth to heaven!

There is no going to the fair haven of glory—without sailing through the narrow strait of repentance.